Iran celebrate reaching the World League semifiinals for the first time

Florence, Italy, July 18, 2014 – Saturday’s FIVB Volleyball World League 2014 semifinals have thrown up two exhilarating matches with USA taking on Iran followed by the second semifinal featuring the two most successful nations in World League history Brazil and Italy.

With Iran beating Brazil 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 23-25, 28-26) in Pool I, world No.2 Russia were eliminated and were joined by Australia from Pool H, who finished without a win after being beaten by Italy 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-21) in Friday’s second game.

• Iran and Australia are/were making their World League Finals debuts.

• Iran top Pool I and go through to the semifinals of the World League for the first time in their history.

• Iran have now got a winning record against Brazil in the World League overall. The two sides have met five times in the competition (all this year), with Iran winning three and Brazil winning two. Brazil have won the other four meetings between the two sides (two in the World Cup, two in the Grand Championships Cup).

• Iran broke a three match losing streak with this win. Amir Ghafour was the match top scorer with 23 points. Lucarelli was top Brazilian scorer with 17 points.

• Italy are yet to lose a set in the 2014 Finals.

• Italy are unbeaten in ten total encounters with Australia. The Volleyroos have only won three sets in all these matches

• Thomas Edgar, one of the tournament's standout players, was top scorer with 20 points